The Face of a Sniper
Unable to find Cucouroux and Camieux's uncle, Dan, Silva enlists the aid of Tweyen. After locating him, Silva engages in a drinking contest. In her inebriated state, she confesses to Tweyen how deeply she feels about her and the crew.
Silva: Not here either...
The Miners' Association, which sells metals to the various workshops, begins increasing prices to an outrageous degree.
At a loss, the guilds decide to create a new alloy for trading with the association.
The man appointed to spearhead its creation is none other than Cucouroux and Camieux's uncle, Dan, who resides in Valtz.
Silva: Where in the skies did Dan go...
Although Dan is not known for being a bad person, he does have indolent habits.
Today he has decided to go into hiding.
Silva: Everyone at the foundry is waiting for him... Cucouroux... (Captain)...
Silva: ...
Silva: I don't have another choice... I'll rendezvous with her first and have her help me.
Silva climbs a tower which gives her a full view of the city, draws her knife, and bathes it in sunlight.
Silva: Haha... I haven't used this trick in a while.
She lets light reflect off the blade while focusing it on various parts of Valtz.
Moments later, she spots a light like her own flickering in the distance.
Silva: She always was fast to pick up on my signal.
The two use the light to communicate their locations. This is a mode of contact that only they employ.
Before Silva appears a woman who floats in the air using powerful flight magic.???: Haha... We haven't communicated like that in a while.
Tweyen appears before Silva.Tweyen: It's been so long since you've used that, Silva.
Silva: True. I thought it appropriate for the occasion.
Tweyen is one of the Eternals—a group whose members each specialize in one of the ten weapons. Tweyen wields the bow.
I'm heading to Valtz, so would you like to enjoy a meal together?
After writing this letter, Silva sent it to Tweyen.
After writing this letter, Silva left it in Tweyen's room on the Grandcypher.Tweyen: So many memories come rushing back. Memories of how we met and the things we've done...
Silva: Really...
Tweyen: Yes...
These two are lifelong companions who at times fight long, hard battles with each other.
With the two face-to-face, those days long forgotten now come back to both of them just like it was yesterday.
Tweyen & Silva: So...
Actually...
Tweyen & Silva: I...
I...
Tweyen: You go ahead.
Silva: No, please. Tell me what you need to.
Tweyen: I really insist that you go first...
Silva: I... I didn't just ask you out to eat. I need your help.
Silva: But before I give you the details, please tell me what you wanted to say...
Tweyen: You have a favor to ask me?
Tweyen: Wait... Go on, please. I don't have anything important to say anyways.
Silva: All right...
Silva explains why she has come to Valtz and describes what Dan looks like in detail.
Silva: I've looked everywhere, but I can't find him. I was hoping you could assist me with your extraordinary eyesight.
Tweyen: Of course. Leave it to me.
Silva: I'm sorry about asking for your help when all you were expecting was a meal with me.
Tweyen: Don't worry about it. This won't require me to do anything beyond looking around anyways.
The awkwardness that plagued them moments ago vanishes. This seems to relax Tweyen as she gazes across town.
Her eyes are special. They allow her to see far beyond what any normal person can.
Tweyen: There is a man who matches the description you gave me.
Tweyen: Oh no! He's just entered a tavern.
Silva: A tavern?
Tweyen: He's not sitting in any seat that I can see from this angle.
Silva: All right. Thank you, Tweyen.
Tweyen: Hehe... It was nothing. Are you going after him?
Silva: Yes...
Silva: I'll be right back. I'm sorry to make you wait here, but it'll only be for a minute.
Tweyen: Oh... No problem! I'll just be here then...
Tweyen walks with Silva down the tower to see her off.
Tweyen: (Maybe it's because of the knife... But all these memories suddenly coming back to me is making me nervous.)
Tweyen: (When Silva comes back, this time I'll tell her exactly how I feel...)
Tweyen: (I can't let this opportunity go to waste... Not when we get to be all alone...)
Tweyen: I can't...
The resolved Tweyen stares at the far-off tavern and waits for Silva's return.
Tweyen: I wonder if something's happened to Silva... From her casual tone, it sounded like she'd be back real soon...
Tweyen: Is she in some kind of trouble...
Tweyen grows worried and decides to head to the bar in search of Silva.
Tweyen: I hope she won't be mad I didn't keep my word...
Tweyen peeps into the window of the tavern.
Tweyen: Gasp!
Silva lies face down on a table in the tavern. Sitting across from her is a man who looks panicked.
Between the two is a large empty pitcher knocked sideways in such a way as to paint a full, yet bleak story.
Uncle Dan: S-Silva... Are you okay?
Silva: Yesh... I'm... Hiccup... Fine...
Silva: Gimme... more...
Uncle Dan: Hell no! You're dead drunk.
Uncle Dan: And why do you keep drinking when I've already said you win?
Silva: ...
Silva: Huh? Oh... Hiccup... Fine...
Uncle Dan: Phew...
Silva: We'll need... Hiccup... One more round to... Settle this...
Uncle Dan: I just said you won. Can you even hear me anymore?
Silva: Huh? Oh... Hiccup... Fine... I heard ya...
Silva: But we'll just need... Hiccup... One more round to... Call it...
Uncle Dan: Damn it! You're spilling it!
Uncle Dan: Sigh... This is pretty bad...
Tweyen: Silva, are you okay?
Uncle Dan: Hm? Would you happen to be a friend?
Tweyen: I... Yes! I am.
Uncle Dan: Great! That's exactly what I needed.
Uncle Dan: We, uh... were trying to settle something and ended up having a drinking contest.
Uncle Dan: But as you can see, she's out of it. And I can't just go walking around with her like this... What would people think, ya know?
Tweyen: A drinking contest? Silva does that?
Uncle Dan: Y-yeah... It was all her idea too!
Tweyen: I... see.
Tweyen: I think I understand what's going on now. Let me take her.
Tweyen: I see you've had your fair share of drinks as well. Can you make it home alone?
Uncle Dan: Yeah. I'll be fine. Just a little wobbly is all.
Tweyen: All right. Please be careful.
Uncle Dan: Sure thing. Thanks for worrying about me too.
Uncle Dan: This is the first time I've met one of Silva's friends.
Uncle Dan: Please take good care of her.
Tweyen: I will. You can rest assured I will get her home safely.
Uncle Dan: Oh, I'm not talking about just tonight. I mean, be a good friend to her as long as you can.
Tweyen: Huh?
Uncle Dan: You were worried about Silva and came to check up on her, right?
Uncle Dan: She's a strong one and so everyone thinks she can hold her own no matter what.
Uncle Dan: But you came to see if she needed help. That shows me how much you care about her.
Tweyen: ...
Uncle Dan: Just be good to her.
Dan tells Tweyen where the foundry is and then takes his unbalanced leave.
Dan takes his unbalanced leave.Tweyen: How much I care...
Tweyen: Silva, come on. You have to go back to your crew, right?
Silva: Cr... ew...
Tweyen: Silva, come on. You have to get back to (Captain), right?
Silva: (Captain)...
Silva: I really do... Hiccup... Owe (Captain)... so much...
Tweyen: Huh?
Silva: A chance meeting... that led to a warm welcome... (Captain) always supports me...
Silva: Haha... That's not all... Everyday on that ship is full of fun... Like when I lived with the gunsmiths...
Tweyen: Silva...
Silva: The gunsmiths... Hiccup... Cucouroux, Camieux... My precious...
Silva shares the names of the two she considers her sisters.
Silva: That brings back memories... of when we first met... They were so small...
Silva: Cucouroux is a hard worker... Just so positive... She lights up everyone around her...
Tweyen: Is that so?
Silva speaks as if in a dream state, and Tweyen pulls up a chair to sit across from her.
Silva: Camieux... Is such an innocent... Hiccup... good child...
Silva: She always looks out for others... She always knows when one of us is down...
Tweyen: Sniff... You love them both, don't you, Silva?
Silva: Yeah...
Tweyen: How honest...
Silva: For them... I need to get Da—
Silva: Gasp!
Silva: Dan! Where is Dan!
Silva tries to stand suddenly, and Tweyen catches her as she stumbles.
Tweyen: I-it's fine, Silva. He just left alone earlier. I'm sure he's already arrived at the foundry.
Silva: Really?
Silva: Hm? Tweyen? When did... you get here?
Tweyen: Just a moment ago. I became worried since you didn't come back.
Silva: Oh... I'm sorry... Now you're worrying about me again...
Tweyen: Again?
As if drained of energy, Silva lets her arms fall to the table.
Silva: You're someone I aspire to. Hoping to approach your level of combat prowess, I challenged you...
Tweyen: Right... And you won that battle.
Silva: But not the war!
Silva: I'll never be able to use that trick again! It was just a gamble that went in my favor! I can't ever use that hand again!
Silva: Beating you like that... doesn't prove I'm better than you...
Silva: Yet you... Even after the battle... you're still so good to me...
Tweyen: Silva... is that how you really feel...
Silva: ...
Tweyen: Silva?
Silva: ...
Tweyen: You feeling okay? Have some more water...
Silva: ...
Tweyen: Is she asleep... Hmm... Maybe I should wait a little bit.
Tweyen: Hehe... Maybe I'll just have a small bite to eat.
Tweyen: It's not every day I get to watch Silva sleeping.
Tweyen lends Silva a shoulder to lean on, and the two head toward the alloy foundry where (Captain) and the crew await them.
Camieux: Hey! Sis is back! And she's with Tweyen!
Lyria: Oh good! I was worried!
Vyrn: Hm? What's wrong with Snipes?
Silva: ...
Cucouroux: Sis, you feel okay?
Tweyen...
Tweyen: Silva's fine...
Actually...
Tweyen explains what occurred at the tavern, including her run-in with Dan.
Cucouroux: Oh... So Sis went through all that trouble for the foundry...
Tweyen: Hehe... She did all that for you and Camieux. And I don't think she would call it trouble.
Cucouroux: Huh?
Tweyen: I'm sure of it.
Tweyen turns to (Captain).
Tweyen: Are you the leader? Silva had a few things to say about this crew.
Tweyen: Silva had a few things to say about our crew.
Tweyen tells (Captain) all the good things Silva had mentioned about the crew.
Lyria: Every day is full of fun? I didn't know she felt that way.
Tweyen: She does. She appreciates all of you.
- We have fun with her too!
- We're the ones who appreciate her.
Choose: We have fun with her too!Lyria: We sure do! Silva's company makes things more enjoyable!
Lyria: And I really love the tea she serves!
Vyrn: She rocks!
Choose: We're the ones who appreciate her.Tweyen: Hm?
Vyrn: Here, here. Snipes just makes things more fun.
Continue 1Vyrn: Snipes is amazing! Especially when it comes to reading the wind and plant trivia. She knows lots of stuff!
Cucouroux: That's 'cause Sis needs to know everything there is to about shooting.
Cucouroux: All those stories she's told about the missions she's done have really been useful to hear. She's a pro through and through.
Camieux: Yeah! Sis's stories are always a great way to learn new stuff!
Tweyen: Hehe... I see. Then the feeling is mutual.
Tweyen: Hehe... Good point. Then the feeling is mutual.
Vyrn: Hm? What do you mean?
Tweyen: Oh, it's nothing. I just understand how much you all care for Silva.
The crew all nod in agreement. Nothing could be more true.
Lyria: We really do love Silva!
Tweyen: Hehe... I'm glad to hear that.
Tweyen: All right then, I'm off.
Camieux: Really? Already?
Tweyen: Yes. I'm happy to have seen Silva after all this time. Let her know that.
Tweyen: With Silva in this state, she probably won't remember anything come morning.
Silva: Mph... Tweyen...
Tweyen: Hehe...
Tweyen glances once more at Silva before leaving the foundry almost reluctantly.
Tweyen: With Silva in this state, she probably won't remember anything come morning.
Silva: Mph... Tweyen...
Tweyen: Hehe...
Tweyen glances once more at Silva before giggling softly.
Silva: Hm?
The next day Silva awakens in the foundry.
Silva: ...
While Tweyen was under the impression that Silva would not remember anything about the night before, she was wrong.
Silva: ...!
What have I done!
Silva recalls every word she said to Tweyen and begins to feel her stomach knot painfully.
Silva: How could I do that... I wish I could forget it all...
Silva reflects on the fact that she confessed how much she cares for Tweyen.
All her feelings were out in the open.
There were however some parts of her memory after leaving the bar that were causing her to draw a blank.
Silva: M-morning... (Captain)... Everyone...
Silva: ...
Silva: (Captain), I have a question... Last night... did I do anything inappropriate?
Silva: My memory is a little hazy...
- Nothing in particular...
- You went crazy!
Choose: Nothing in particular...Silva: R-really? Thank goodness...
Choose: You went crazy!Silva: What!
Vyrn: Haha! It's a joke! (Captain), go easy on her.
Silva: A j-joke... Thank goodness...
Continue 2
Silva: (But... How am I supposed to face Tweyen the next time we meet...)
Silva: (But... How am I supposed to face Tweyen when I see her...)
Silva: (Oh no... I get embarrassed so easily that I'm going to be as red as one of Vyrn's apples!)
Silva: (I know... I'll use my training as a sniper to calm my emotions and slow my heartbeat.)
Cucouroux: Morning, Sis! How ya feeling?
Camieux: Sis, good morning! Thanks for going to look for our uncle!
Silva: Morning, you two. I'm sorry I got back so late.
Cucouroux: Not a probl—
Cucouroux: Hm?
Camieux: Uh... Sis, is something wrong? Your face is bright red.
Silva: ...!
Cucouroux: Maybe the alcohol is still in your system. Why don't you lie down?
Silva: It's not that...
Camieux: Don't push yourself too hard!
Silva: (Urgh... Damn... As their role model, I have to put a better foot forward...)
Silva: (Tweyen... I still have much room for improvement... I'm no match for you...)
While Silva is known as one the best snipers in all the skies, she has no one she can confide these worries to. All she is left with is silent rumination.
Counter-Snipe
(Captain), Silva, Cucouroux, Camieux, and the rest of the crew guard a merchant and his goods through mountainous terrain when suddenly they are shot at. Following Silva's orders, the crew finds shelter behind some large rocks only to be ambushed by bandits.
Vyrn: I mean they did warn us, but this mountain is a pain in the tail.
The crew walk along the cliffs of a mountain while gazing at the treacherous path before them.
Their mission is to escort a merchant to a village which cannot be reached by airship due to the rocky geography.
Merchant: You don't know how much this helps. The roads are narrow, the path is long, and there are bandits.
There have been reports of bandits in the mountains stealing food and other precious objects.
What's worse, even those who have employed protection have still fallen victim.
Merchant: But you guys are really strong, right? I'm counting on you.
Vyrn: We got you covered!
Camieux: Let them come from any direction!
Cucouroux: Yeah! Bring it, bandits!
Silva: Haha... Full of energy today, aren't you two? Stay on the lookout.
Younger Sisters: Yes, ma'am!
Silva has enlisted the help of her two sisters to protect the merchant and the goods they carry.
Lyria: Hehehe... You're all just like real sisters.
Silva: Hm? Are you referring to us?
Due to certain circumstances, Silva left her hometown and was not able to return.
During this period she stayed with gunsmiths who were also the parents of Cucouroux and Camieux.
These events led to the three bonding together just like real siblings.
Camieux: Hehehe... Cucouroux and Silva are the best sisters in all the skies!
Lyria: I'm so jealous. I wish I had siblings...
Cucouroux: You don't have to wish! The bond between two people is thicker than blood, you know!
Cucouroux: How about you become my little sister right now?
The crew chats merrily until a loud blast signals the coming of danger.
Camieux: Aaah!
The source of the sound was the wheel of their carriage being shot at.
Before anyone has a chance to speak, another noise is heard.
Vyrn: Hm? W-what was that?
Silva: A sniper! Everyone take cover!
Vyrn: Huh? Come again?
Silva: Hurry up! Lyria, you too!
Lyria: Wha? Wha?
Unable to react quickly, (Captain) takes Lyria's hand and runs.
Everyone follows Silva's directions and hides under a rock wall.
Cucouroux: Sis... are they...
Silva: Yes. We can be sure of that...
Vyrn: H-hey... Sure of what, Snipes?
Silva: Everyone, listen to me. We're under a coordinated attack.
Merchant: A what! How do you know that?
Silva: Think about it. First the carriage wheel is destroyed, and then shots are fired...
Silva: Someone purposely attacked us and is now taking aim from afar.
Merchant: Then... are we even safe here?
Silva: The enemy has had plenty of time to reload their weapon yet none of us has been harmed.
Silva: This must mean they do not have a clear shot at us from their current location.
Merchant: So... we are safe here...
Silva: Wrong...
Vyrn: W-what!
Silva: That they shot at us in a location where we would have access to a safe place like this...
Silva: Must mean...
What was moments ago a deathly silent area now resounds with the stampeding of a group.
Silva: It's a trap!
Camieux: Aahh! They got us...
Cucouroux: Completely surrounded...
The bandits encircle the crew all at once.
Thug: Leave the goods if you don't want to die.
There was neither sinister laughter nor roars of anger—only a single demand.
Thug: We won't wait long. You have until the count of ten.
Thug: One... Two... Three...
Vyrn: Who are these guys!
Silva: That was a well-executed strategy... Everyone, be careful. These are no amateurs.
Vyrn: How do you know?
Silva: First they had the sniper cut off our means of transportation and now this second unit is here to make sure we leave what they came for.
Silva: This is a commonly used strategy. They may have even only used one sniper to send us into confusion and make us an easy target.
Silva: They manipulated us like a puppet on a string.
Thug: Nine... Ten! So we're doing this the hard way then.
Thug: Kill them!
Vyrn: Oh crap! Here they come!
Silva: We fight! No one leave the shelter of this wall! We can't allow the sniper to open fire!
Counter-Snipe: Scene 2
With the bandits defeated, the crew decide to use Silva's counter-snipe tactics to hunt for the sniper who shot at them earlier. However, as the crew near the sniper's location, they are attacked by a second wave of bandits.
(Captain) and crew tie the defeated bandits up.
Vyrn: Snipes was right. These dudes were a handful...
Silva: These are no ordinary thugs. They're soldiers gone rogue.
Vyrn: How do you know that?
Silva: That stunt was not something any lowlife could pull off.
Silva: Instead of risking their lives on the battlefield, they've decided to use their accumulated knowledge to prey on easy marks for better returns.
Silva: Once they figured out other uses for their skills, they left the army and became bandits.
Am I wrong?
Thug: Tch!
Lyria: That's... not good at all!
Vyrn: Yeah! We won't stand for it! You hear me!
Camieux: You delinquents!
Vyrn: At least we got 'em though. So let's head to the village on the double!
Silva: No. Not yet. There's still the sniper.
Vyrn: But while we were beating up these guys, the shooter probably ran away, right?
Silva: Perhaps... but we should still take the necessary precautions. Wishful thinking can be dangerous.
Silva: If we don't eliminate the sniper, we can't guarantee our safety whether we choose to proceed or retreat.
Vyrn: Urgh... This sucks...
Silva: I have a plan though. (Captain), what do you say to a little counter-sniping?
Vyrn: Counter... sniping? What the heck is that?
Cucouroux: She means we hunt the hunter. It'll be pretty hard though.
Vyrn: But how are you gonna shoot somebody whose location you don't even know? He is hiding...
Camieux: Sis can do it!
Camieux: Sis can see things from super far away and hit them too!
Cucouroux: If we just leave this to Sis, we can't fail! Plus, she has something in mind, right?
Vyrn: Now that you mention it, Snipes is pretty good at hitting even stuff smaller than my fist!
Cucouroux: Plus, she has something in mind, right?
Silva: That I do. What do you say, (Captain)?
- Let's get counter-snipin'!
- Won't that be dangerous?
Choose: Let's get counter-snipin'!Cucouroux: Yeah! Now we've got (Captain)'s seal of approval!
Camieux: Those dastards! I'll help put them to bed too!
Choose: Won't that be dangerous?Silva: I can't say it'll be safe... but going any further would be the greatest risk of all.
Vyrn: And we gotta worry about the merchant too, not just our own skin...
Camieux: (Captain), I'll make sure this mission is a success!
Camieux: So can you find it in your heart to trust Sis?
Camieux convinces (Captain), and thus begins Operation Counter-snipe.
Continue 1Silva: First we need to conceal ourselves in the forest...
Silva points in the direction opposite the road where a deep forest extends to the base of the faraway mountains.
Silva: We'll use the trees as cover to greatly reduce the chance of being shot at.
Vyrn: All right! Here we go!
Silva: Wait!
Vyrn: Aaagh!
Silva pulls Vyrn's tail just in time for both of them to catch a glimpse of a bullet rebounding off the ground.
Vyrn: Aah! They fired at me!
Cucouroux: So they're still targeting us. Then that means we can't get to the forest... What do we do, Sis?
Silva: It takes time between shots to reload and aim. So we'll use that window.
Silva turns to the shaking merchant.
Silva: Would you mind telling me what's in these bags?
Merchant: Huh? This? It's just flour...
Silva: Then could I ask you for one bag and something to wrap it with?
Merchant: Uh... Sure...
Silva: I've also got something to ask the two of you as well.
Cucouroux: Anything, Sis!
Camieux: Let our powers combine!
The sniper hides on the face of the mountain aiming at the road where the merchant and crew should be.
Sniper: (They haven't given the signal yet. I know I just saw something a second ago, but it wasn't one of us.)
Once the bandits' acquisition is successful, one of the members is supposed to give the sniper the signal to indicate as much. So far the sniper hasn't spotted a single ally.
Sniper: (We were told the protection for this merchant would be skilled...)
Sniper: (But no matter how good they are, there's no way they can avoid my shots when they don't know where I am!)
Sniper: (Let them show their faces, even just a little bit, and boom!)
Then the time came to fire.
Sniper: (Gotcha! You trying to take a sneak peek from behind those rocks to find me!)
Sniper: This time I won't miss! Take this!
The bag of flour that Silva holds takes the bullet, exploding into a white cloud of smoke.
Silva dressed the bag in cloth to have it resemble a human from far away, and the sniper took the bait.
Silva: Run! If possible, under the exploded flour!
The crew rush from their hiding spot to the forest as soon as Silva gives the word.
Silva: Cucouroux! Cammy!
Camieux: On it! This dastard! Don't know where that sniper is, but let 'em take this!
Cucouroux: Time to show off my new gun!
Cucouroux and Camieux unleash a barrage of bullets as they head toward the forest.
Sniper: What!
Bullets fly everywhere, scaring the sniper and forcing him to find shelter behind a boulder.
Sniper: Now what...
Sniper: (That means the thing I shot earlier wasn't a person... it was a decoy...)
Sniper: (Now they're using my loading window combined with their own assault to get safely into the forest...)
Sniper: (They knew exactly what my weak points were and used that to get to a place I'd have a hard time firing into...)
Sniper: But the forest isn't their friend...
Vyrn: Pant... Pant... I had my doubts, but we made it...
Lyria: That... was really scary...
Cucouroux: Don't be scared! We have Sis on our side!
Vyrn: That's easy to say, but... We don't know where the bad guy is... What are we supposed to do now?
Camieux: Don't take my sis so lightly!
Cucouroux: Yeah. Silva has an idea of the sniper's location, right?
Silva: I think I know just about where he is.
Vyrn: What! How is that possible?
Silva: I base my assumptions on the presumption that the sniper has his back to the sun. That implies the sniper is somewhere in that direction.
Vyrn: Hmm... I see... But how do you know?
Silva: If he were facing the sun, it would only hamper his ability to shoot. And if the light were to bounce off his gun, that would give his location away.
Silva: Since he was waiting to ambush us, he must be somewhere high to have the best field of vision possible.
Silva: Then there's the fact that he couldn't see us when we hid under the rock wall...
Silva: Putting all that together, there shouldn't be too many places that match those parameters.
Lyria & Vyrn: ...
Vyrn: Snipes, I thought you were something else, but dang...
Lyria: Oh my... She's amazing...
Vyrn and Lyria's reaction causes Camieux to hold her head up high.
Camieux: My big sis is incredible! She can do anything!
Silva: Let's hurry. Everyone be sure to move under the cover of the trees.
(Captain) and crew make their way to where Silva suspects the sniper hides.
While avoiding the sniper's line of sight, the crew moves nimbly through the forest.
For the moment no shots have been fired.
Vyrn: Why the heck isn't he shooting?
Lyria: I bet it's because the shooter can't see very well!
Vyrn: I had my suspicions, but this plan is working out pretty well.
Silva continues to lead the crew through the forest.
Silva: Stop!
Vyrn: W-why?
Silva: The forest ends here. Now we have only the rocks...
Before the crew was a barren path that had no trees nor plants to hide behind.
Cucouroux: But... this is where the sniper is, right?
Silva: I suspe—
Before Silva could finish her thought, a bullet grazes the surrounding trees.
Silva: Everyone hide! We're under attack!
Camieux: Aaaah!
(Captain) hurries to hide behind a tree.
Cucouroux: Did you see 'em, Sis?
Silva: No... I didn't...
Camieux: But at least you were right!
Cucouroux: That's true. The enemy is hiding around here. No doubt about that.
Silva: But if we leave the forest now, we'll only make for target practice... There's no doubt his hand is ready and on the trigger.
Vyrn: So what do we do?
Cucouroux: Hm...
Camieux: Ah! Someone is coming!
The crew turn to face the opposite direction and see the group heading toward them.
Vyrn: What the! Are those more bandits?
Silva: It looks like they had a second platoon ready in case the first failed.
Silva: If we leave the forest now, we'll be shot at. We have to face that group first, (Captain)!
Counter-Snipe: Scene 3
After beating the second wave, Silva reluctantly proposes that her sisters act as bait so that she can ascertain the location of the sniper. The sniper falls for Silva's plan and is caught by the crew.
Although the second wave of bandits was beaten, the crew's plans for the sniper are still unclear.
Cucouroux: We're in a pickle... If we just stand around, the sun is going to set.
Vyrn: Yeah! What if we did that? Then they couldn't see us, right?
Vyrn: Let's just move the merchant's stuff when it's darker.
Silva: That's not an option. For us to move in the dark, we'll need to use torches. That will make us even easier to hit.
Vyrn: Oh yeah... And I thought I had a good idea...
Cucouroux: And if we wait till morning tomorrow, we'll still be targets. We have to figure out something we can do now...
Lyria: But what...
Camieux: Think, Camieux, think! Isn't there anything in this head of mine...
Silva: ...
Cucouroux: ...?
Cucouroux: Sis, what's wrong?
Silva: Hm? I was just trying to think of a solution...
Cucouroux: Liar. I know that face when I see it. You almost never look like that.
Camieux: She's right! Sis, what is it that you need to tell us?
- Is it about Cucouroux and Camieux?
- Did you come up with something already?
Choose: Is it about Cucouroux and Camieux?Cucouroux: Us?
Vyrn: Yeah... If Snipes looks like that...
Vyrn: Then it must be something to do with Miss Gunsmith and Camieux, right?
Silva: N-no... I... It's not just about them...
Choose: Did you come up with something already?Silva: ...!
Cucouroux: Really, Sis?
Silva: No... It's just...
Continue 1Cucouroux: I see... When you act like that, you give yourself up, Sis.
Cucouroux: We'll be the bait!
Silva: N-no! You can't!
Cucouroux: It's okay, Sis! We think this is for the best!
Vyrn: What's for the best?
Cucouroux: We're going to use the same strategy the bandits used on us!
Cucouroux: We're going to have Sis be the lone sniper and we're going to break off as our own unit.
Cucouroux: If we leave the forest, then the sniper will make his move. Once he does, Sis will take him out!
Cucouroux: Right, Sis?
Having a solo sniper and another group acting independently was the technique the bandits had used.
Silva herself had explained as much to the crew.
Silva: ...
Silva: (A sniper's tactics are often branded as cowardice... They hide safely and shoot from afar while letting their allies fight in harm's way.)
Before Silva joined the crew, she had received a request to defeat large beasts with the help of other mercenaries.
It was there that she was told just what they thought of her work.
A sniper gets the easiest part of all.
Silva: (There was nothing I could say to them. They were the ones who had to go face-to-face with the beasts.)
Silva: (Now I have to choose whether to be a coward again or not...)
Silva: (I can't do it!)
Vyrn: That's a great idea! Let's do it!
Camieux: Yes, Lizard! You've got Camieux's seal of approval!
Silva: What?
Vyrn: Snipes, if you had such a good plan, why didn't you tell us sooner!
Silva: But... this plan is dangerous...
- We believe in you!
- This is our best chance.
Choose: We believe in you!Cucouroux: I do too! You're not just some run-of-the-mill sniper like our enemy!
Vyrn: Yeah! If anyone can pull this off, it's you, Snipes!
Choose: This is our best chance.Camieux: Sure is! I see eye to eye with (Captain)!
Lyria: I believe in you too, Silva! You can do this!
Continue 2Silva: You all really...
Vyrn: Huh?
Silva: Never mind... It's nothing...
Silva: I do this for them...
The sniper holds his gun at the ready, looking down on the forest apprehensively.
Sniper: What!
The crew assigned to guard the merchant scatters out of the forest.
Sniper: (So they're all coming after me... They must have decided to forgo waiting and just throw all they have my way.)
Sniper: (I don't think they know where I am, but the closer they get, the more danger I'm in.)
Sniper: (They think running in a zigzag will help them avoid my shots, but they're wrong.)
Sniper: This is perfect. First I'll pick off the one closest to my location...
Vyrn: Run! Run!
(Captain) and the others follow Silva's orders and run in nonlinear paths.
To avoid being hit, this is all they can do at the moment.
That is what Silva told them.
Silva: I'm sorry for putting you all in danger...
Silva: Before the enemy has a chance to pull the trigger, I will find him and fire first.
The crew runs, trusting in Silva's plan.
Meanwhile Silva watches from within the forest and uses every fiber in her body to concentrate.
Silva: (Calm yourself...)
Silva: (When he tries to fire at a target his field of vision is reduced dramatically—that's his weakness.)
Silva: (He won't have the time to realize that he is being counter-sniped.)
Silva: (That's my only chance!)
Silva is certain of her plan, but then—
Silva: !
Vyrn: Did (Captain) just get shot at!
While attempting to climb a boulder, a bullet hits the ground near (Captain)'s feet.
Although the bullet missed, the momentum causes (Captain) to fall down.
Lyria: !
Cucouroux: (Captain)!
Camieux: Aaah! (Captain)!
Cucouroux and Camieux are shaken by the attack on (Captain).
Sniper: Tch! I missed? Not a problem. It's not like they'll be able to stand up any time soon!
Sniper: Next I'll hit that little Draph! Take this!
The sniper locates his next victim and prepares to fire.
But he's too slow.
Sniper: Aagh!
The sniper's gun takes a bullet causing him to reel in pain.
Sniper: What... Where did that shot come from?
He peeks at the crew below and believes that none of them have noticed where he is.
Sniper: No... They have a sniper too...
Sniper: I'm... being... hunted by another sniper...
The sniper runs his eyes over the mountain and forest. But he has no idea where the shot came from.
Nor does he know what's coming next.
Sniper: Agggh!
The second shot grazes his cheek causing an instant burn where the bullet made contact.
Sniper: Eep... Damn it!
Paralyzed by fear, the sniper decides to flee.
Sniper: What... the hell is happening! Where are they shooting from, and when did I become the target?
Cucouroux: Gotcha! I found the bad guy, everybody!
Sniper: !
Camieux: You dastard! We finally found you!
In his haste, the sniper ran through the forest and wasn't careful about hiding his tracks.
Silva: When you fired, I saw a glimpse of the light that came from your gun. And then you became the perfect target.
Sniper: You're the one who fired at me? I didn't see you when I shot earlier... So you all had a sniper of your own...
Sniper: It all makes sense! You used the flour to create a white fog so I wouldn't see all the members of your crew and that big gun of yours...
Sniper: You made sure I let my guard down!
Silva: It was a coincidence that we even had the flour. I just used the resources we had to the best of my abilities like any good soldier would do, right?
Vyrn: What! Even that flour was a part of your plan to counter-snipe?
Cucouroux: You put your plan into motion that early on...
Camieux: You're awesome.
Sniper: But why did you shoot the gun? You had a clear shot of me, but you didn't shoot to kill. Why?
Silva: Your friends gave us a ten second countdown. A kind act deserves a reward.
Silva: It seems their pride as soldiers still remains...
Sniper: Huh... You just know everything, don't you? I admit defeat, but tell me your name.
Silva: Silva.
Sniper: You're Silva!
Sniper: Well... Now is as good a time as ever to give this life up, I guess...
The sniper shows no sign of resistance and goes quietly into the custody of the crew.
Counter-Snipe: Scene 4
The crew safely sees the merchant and his goods to their rightful destination. (Captain) and the crew banter happily while Silva watches the joyful expressions on their faces. She vows to always live up to the trust that they put in her.
And so (Captain) and crew safely escort the merchant and his goods to the village.
Silva treats (Captain)'s injuries suffered during the fall.
Silva: I'm sorry for what happened today... I said I would be faster than the enemy, but...
Silva: I still have much room for improvement...
Silva: I would have gladly taken that bullet for you.
Vyrn: Whoa there! Don't say stuff like that. And another thing... (Captain) wasn't shot, you know?
Silva: No thanks to me... The fact remains that I put (Captain) in danger. I wish it had been me.
(Captain) turns to face Silva.
Then says, "if you hadn't been there, we wouldn't have made it through this mission."
Lyria: Agreed! We're really grateful to you, Silva!
Vyrn: Yep! If you hadn't been here, there's no way we woulda made it to the village.
Silva: ...
Cucouroux: Enough work talk!
The crew turns around to see Cucouroux and the merchant standing behind them.
Merchant: You really saved me! You didn't just protect me; you caught the bandits too!
Merchant: And I was just informed that that was all thanks to you?
Silva: Thanks to me... That's going too far...
Merchant: I hear you like tea. Then here, take this. This is my pride and joy. The best tea I have. Go on!
Silva is handed a beautiful tin can.
Silva: ...
Cucouroux: She loves it! I can tell! She always likes stuff like this!
Camieux: Righto! Silva has a thing for containers to hold her tea in!
Lyria: Wow! I didn't know Silva liked stuff like this.
Vyrn: Hm? I guess it's kinda cute.
Silva: Would everyone... stop teasing me...
Lyria: Hey! Silva's blushing! How cute.
Silva: Not you too, Lyria...
Merchant: You all remind me of siblings.
Lyria: Huh? Us?
Merchant: Yeah. All of you. That's what I think anyway.
Cucouroux: Look at that! Now you know what it's like to be someone's sister, right, Lyria?
Lyria: I-I guess I do!
Camieux: Yeah! I'd be happy with another sister!
Silva: As would I.
Silva looks at the crew with a gentle smile.
She vows to always live up to the trust that the crew puts in her from now on.